[Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 by Julian S. Corbett]@TWC D-Link book
Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816

PART II
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As, for example, if the master or his mate bid heave out the main topsail, the master's mate, boatswain's mate or quartermaster which hath charge of that sail shall with his company perform it, without calling out to others and without rumour[11], and so for the foresail, fore topsail, spritsail and the rest; the boatswain himself taking no particular charge of any sail, but overlooking all and seeing every man to do his duty.
29.

No man shall board his enemy's ship without order, because the loss of a ship to us is of more importance than the loss of ten ships to the enemy, as also by one man's boarding all our fleet may be engaged; it being too great a dishonour to lose the least of our fleet.

But every ship, if we be under the lee of an enemy, shall labour to recover the wind if the admiral endeavours it.

But if we find an enemy to be leewards of us, the whole fleet shall follow the admiral, vice-admiral, or other leading ship within musket shot of the enemy; giving so much liberty to the leading ship as after her broadside delivered she may stay and trim her sails.

Then is the second ship to tack as the first ship and give the other side, keeping the enemy under a perpetual shot.


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